Improvement in folding keys for locks



J. M. SPRING.

FOLDING-KEYS FOR LOCKS. No.17Z,195. Pate'naed' Janrll, 1876.

MMM J 980 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

JOHN M. srnrne, on NEW BRITAIN, OONNEGTIGUT, ASSIGNOR TO P. a F. GORBIN, or SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FO LD ING KEYS FOR LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 172,195, dated January 11, 1876; application filed December 16, 1875. 7

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J onn M. SPRING, of New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Folding Keys, of which the following is a specification:-

Keys for locks have been made with a folding shank, so that they can be in a less compass for transportation, and these keys have been made of various shapes and forms.

My improvement is made for facilitating the construction of the handle of the folding key, so that the bow may be solid instead of the key-bits passing in between theenlarged sides of the handle at the end thereof.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of the key complete and opened out. Fig. 2 is a view edgewise of the key; and Fig. 3 is a cross-section at the line as w, the key being represented as folded.

The key shank a and bits b are of any usual or desired character, and the opposite end of the shank to the bits is jointed to the handle by a pin, 2', passing through the same. The handle is somewhat like a knife-handle, with the two side plates 0 and d, and the spring e between the same, that serves to hold the shank when opened out, or when folded into the handle.

The plates 0 and d are not adapted to re ceive the key-bits between them, but the double handle portion and spring are of a length to allow the key-bits to come at the end of such handle, when the shank is turned down into such handle, and the groove or'space between such side plates 0 d is open at the end, so that any foreign substances can be easily cleaned out of the handle.

The key-bow is formed at one side of the handle and beyond the same, so that the keybits are at one side of the bow when the key is folded. This how is of any ordinary shape and may be a solid casting riveted to the handle; but I prefer to continue the sheet metal of the sides, and bend the same laterally, as shown, so that there will be two thicknesses of metal in the bow, but those thicknesses will be firmly riveted together. to form the same as a solid metal bow. This construction of key is very strong and convenient in use, and at the same time the objectionable features 0 other folding keys are avoided.

I claim as my invention The key, made with a handle, into which the jointed key-shank folds, and the key-bits project beyond the end of the handle, in combination with a how that is contiguous to the hits at their side, and is a prolongation of the handle, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 11th day of December, A. D. 1875.

J. M. SPRING.

Witnesses:

CHARLES PEOK, E. L. PRIOR. 

